tar removal

southerndetail

southerndetail

New member
I got a call from a paving company today saying that they got tack all over some vehicles the other day. Tack is the solution that they spray down before they lay the asphalt. The tack is all over the cars exterior, its like paint overspray but with tar. My situation is that I have to give the paving company a quote, I already know that a detailing company has given a $575 quote already that has been turned down. Which means that I could go maybe $300 and get away with that. My question is What would be the most efficiant way of removing the tar( I was thinking clay bar and some kind of solvent for the tight spots) if someone has delt with this problem before please let me know.:bigups
 
southerndetail said:
I got a call from a paving company today saying that they got tack all over some vehicles the other day. Tack is the solution that they spray down before they lay the asphalt. The tack is all over the cars exterior, its like paint overspray but with tar. My situation is that I have to give the paving company a quote, I already know that a detailing company has given a $575 quote already that has been turned down. Which means that I could go maybe $300 and get away with that. My question is What would be the most efficiant way of removing the tar( I was thinking clay bar and some kind of solvent for the tight spots) if someone has delt with this problem before please let me know.:bigups
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Bio-diesel or regular diesel will take it off.....I sell a product that is soy bean based to the paving units.....they all have been using bio-diesel as a asphalt release agent...this product is better but for you the diesel will work just fine
 
southerndetail said:
I got a call from a paving company today saying that they got tack all over some vehicles the other day. Tack is the solution that they spray down before they lay the asphalt. The tack is all over the cars exterior, its like paint overspray but with tar. My situation is that I have to give the paving company a quote, I already know that a detailing company has given a $575 quote already that has been turned down. Which means that I could go maybe $300 and get away with that. My question is What would be the most efficiant way of removing the tar( I was thinking clay bar and some kind of solvent for the tight spots) if someone has delt with this problem before please let me know.:bigups
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If you do a search for tar removal, you will find several threads on the subject.

I have used Kerosene with success, but many people have suggested mineral spirits.
Some of the threads deal with specific brands of solvents that people have had some success with.
I usually have kerosene around so it would be my first try. Otherwise, I think I would go to the hardware store and buy some mineral spirits. A body & paint supplier might have some solvents that would work for you.

Charles
 
Tarminator from stoner works really well on thick road tar. You could probably get a few cans and spray the car down with it then wash it with a old mitt. That would really work it in then you could probably blast it all off with a pressure washer. Thats what i would try at least. And if that didn't work step up to something stronger.

I think you can get tarminator locally too.
 
Problem with the solvents is that a few of the cars paint jobs are really bad, like the clear is gone bad. Iam afraid that the solvent will mess with the base coats.
 
southerndetail said:
Problem with the solvents is that a few of the cars paint jobs are really bad, like the clear is gone bad. Iam afraid that the solvent will mess with the base coats.
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:lol2: Good luck with that. Soap(dawn)? and water and elbow grease will be the safest way.
 
I figured it would be a PITA, do you think that the stoners product will strip the paint? This tar I am dealing with is really fine. I haven't tried anything yet so maybe dawn will do the trick.
 
TrueDetailer said:
:lol2: Good luck with that. Soap(dawn)? and water and elbow grease will be the safest way.
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I know this isn't what you mean, but "elbow grease" is a really bad thing for paint. Find the right products. I'm a big fan of Orange-D-Lamin-E products. Zep's is "Big Orange" or "Big Orange E". The second choice is a mineral spirit or kerosene based tar remover.
 
southerndetail said:
I figured it would be a PITA, do you think that the stoners product will strip the paint? This tar I am dealing with is really fine. I haven't tried anything yet so maybe dawn will do the trick.
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I really couldn't say. If i knew that the clear was gone and only the base is left, i wouldn't use it. Chances are it will streak or stain the base. Its funny you're trying to remove the tar without damaging the already damaged paint.



PEI Detail said:
I know this isn't what you mean, but "elbow grease" is a really bad thing for paint. Find the right products. I'm a big fan of Orange-D-Lamin-E products. Zep's is "Big Orange" or "Big Orange E". The second choice is a mineral spirit or kerosene based tar remover.
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The clear is gone, using anything like mineral spirts will cause more damage to the already damaged paint.

southerndetail said:
Problem with the solvents is that a few of the cars paint jobs are really bad, like the clear is gone bad. Iam afraid that the solvent will mess with the base coats.
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is the first mentioned price for ALL the cars, or per car?
I wouldn't do them if the clear is bad. Might be better to pass on them.

I charged $450 a car (x3) for an oil based stain, over spray removal.
 
I use Mineral Spirits for really nasty tar build up.

For most jobs:

Treat the area with your wash mitt & soap mix, spray/saturate with Poorboys Bug Squash, and remove with the safe scrub block
(using light/moderate pressure)

Prior to using the safe scrub block, soak it in your wash bucket (5 min) to soften it up a bit.

 
$575 is per car, the thing is that it seems that the overspray is going to come off pretty easy so I don't want to over charge . This paving co. says this happens often and they are looking for someone they can trust.
 
mgm2003 said:
I use Mineral Spirits for really nasty tar build up.

For most jobs:

Treat the area with your wash mitt & soap mix, spray/saturate with Poorboys Bug Squash, and remove with the safe scrub block
(using light/moderate pressure)

Prior to using the safe scrub block, soak it in your wash bucket (5 min) to soften it up a bit.

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Personally, I would try this method. If you don't want to use the PB Bug Squash, you may use Tarminator. Both products should work.
 
I would be very careful with those so called "safe" scrub blocks. I have seen them scratch a vehicle. They work excellent for bugs with a bug removal product however I ALWAYS soak it in warm water to make it very soft and it is still very effective. I realize that the paint is already messed up but you don't want to introduce any more damage to it. I would also take pictures and document the current damage to the paint so that one of those cars owners doesn't try and put the CC failure on you. I think its ridiculous but better to be safe than sorry.
 
kasperj said:
I would be very careful with those so called "safe" scrub blocks. I have seen them scratch a vehicle. They work excellent for bugs with a bug removal product however I ALWAYS soak it in warm water to make it very soft and it is still very effective. I realize that the paint is already messed up but you don't want to introduce any more damage to it. I would also take pictures and document the current damage to the paint so that one of those cars owners doesn't try and put the CC failure on you. I think its ridiculous but better to be safe than sorry.
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Taking a picture is a good idea.
 
I would use mineral spirits or kerosene ... soak the affected areas and wipe off with a cotton cloth.
As far as pricing, offer to do a small area for free to perfect the process and determine the amount of time required to do the job and then offer a quote. This might save the company some money and also save you from losing a bunch of money by not allowing enough time to do the job.
 
I had a minivan to do that looked as if she drove it through a place that makes tar. I tried everything on it and nothing really worked on it other than trying to pick it off with my finger nail. Once I got the bulk off I used a citrus degreaser...power washed it off, then used clay to take off the rest.

I have not tried kerosene...but I will next time, although its not like I keep kerosene around.
 
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